Congenital Rubella Surveillance: A Matter of Priorities

Abstract

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) has been a nationally notifiable disease since 1965; however, reporting has been quantitatively poor. To improve surveillance, a National Registry for Congenital Rubella Syndrome was established in 1969. Since then, the Registry has received 133 case report forms from 28 states and the District of Columbia. Analysis of these reports shows that peaks of CRS births occurred seven to nine months after the peak incidence of rubella in 1969 and 1970. Estimates of the number of babies born with CRS per year far exceed the actual number of -reported cases. Since the ultimate goal of rubella immunization programs is the prevention of congenital rubella syndrome, improved surveillance of CRS is of prime importance in the overall rubella immunization effort.